Throughout the annals of United States military history, countless acts of valor have punctuated the narratives of conflict and sacrifice. Among the brave men and women who have donned the uniform, a select few have distinguished themselves through extraordinary heroism, earning the nation’s highest military honor: the Medal of Honor. This article highlights nine Native American warriors who, in the face of immense danger, demonstrated unwavering courage and selflessness, embodying the spirit of the Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor, sometimes referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor due to its authorization by Congress in 1861, stands as the supreme recognition bestowed upon members of the U.S. Armed Forces. It is reserved for those individuals who have displayed "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty." The stringent criteria for this award necessitate irrefutable evidence that the act of bravery involved a clear and present danger to the recipient’s life. Furthermore, the act must be of such magnitude that failure to act would not warrant condemnation. The Medal of Honor is presented in the name of Congress, typically by the President of the United States, symbolizing the nation’s profound gratitude for unparalleled acts of heroism.
The stories of these nine Native American recipients are testaments to their unwavering commitment to duty and their extraordinary courage under fire. Their actions, often performed at great personal risk, not only saved the lives of their comrades but also significantly impacted the course of battles. These individuals, representing various tribes and branches of the military, have left an indelible mark on military history.
Woodrow W. Keeble (Sioux)
Master Sergeant Woodrow Wilson Keeble (1917-1982) was a full-blooded member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, a Sioux Native American tribe. He served with distinction in both World War II and the Korean War as a U.S. Army National Guard veteran. Despite his remarkable service and numerous decorations, Keeble did not receive the Medal of Honor until 16 years after his passing. On March 3, 2008, Kurt Bluedog, Keeble’s great-nephew, and Russ Hawkins, his step-son, accepted the award on his behalf, recognizing Keeble’s extraordinary gallantry during the Korean War. This act posthumously honored Keeble as the first full-blooded Sioux Indian to receive the Medal of Honor.
Van T. Barfoot (Choctaw)
Van T. Barfoot, a Choctaw from Mississippi, served as a Second Lieutenant in the famed Thunderbirds during World War II. His Medal of Honor was earned on May 23, 1944, during the breakout from Anzio to Rome. Barfoot’s actions that day were nothing short of extraordinary. He single-handedly advanced through a minefield, neutralizing three enemy machine gun emplacements with hand grenades and his Thompson submachine gun. He then captured seventeen German soldiers. Later, he destroyed an advancing Mark VI tank with a bazooka, killing three of the crew members. Furthermore, he destroyed an abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge and, despite being fatigued, assisted two seriously wounded men to safety over 1,700 yards. Barfoot’s valor was further underscored by his capture of seventeen German prisoners of war.
After serving in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, Barfoot faced an unexpected challenge back home. His neighborhood association took issue with the 21-foot flagpole he erected outside his Virginia home. This dispute garnered national attention and was eventually resolved in Barfoot’s favor, allowing him to continue displaying the American flag with pride.
Roy P. Benavidez (Yaqui)
Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez, a Yaqui, distinguished himself through a series of daring and exceptionally valorous actions on May 2, 1968, while serving with Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that day, a 12-man Special Forces Reconnaissance Team encountered heavy enemy resistance in a dense jungle area west of Loc Ninh. Three helicopters attempted extraction but were forced to retreat due to intense enemy fire.
Sergeant Benavidez volunteered to join a returning aircraft to assist in another extraction attempt. Realizing that the team members were either dead or wounded, he directed the aircraft to a nearby clearing, jumped from the hovering helicopter, and ran approximately 75 meters under intense fire to reach the team. Despite being wounded in his right leg, face, and head, he took charge, repositioning the team members and directing their fire. He then threw smoke canisters to guide the extraction aircraft. Under heavy fire, he carried and dragged half of the wounded team members to the awaiting aircraft, providing protective fire as the aircraft moved to pick up the remaining members.
Benavidez recovered the body and classified documents of the dead team leader, sustaining severe wounds in the abdomen and back. When the aircraft pilot was mortally wounded and the helicopter crashed, Benavidez secured the classified documents, aided the wounded out of the wreckage, and established a defensive perimeter. He then called in tactical air strikes and directed fire from supporting gunships, allowing for another extraction attempt. Throughout the ordeal, Benavidez continued to aid his comrades, sustaining further injuries but refusing to yield. His indomitable spirit and courageous actions saved the lives of at least eight men. His legacy includes a Navy ship and a GI Joe doll named in his honor. His story is one of incredible bravery and self-sacrifice, a true example of the spirit behind the Medal of Honor.
Ernest Childers (Creek)
Ernest Childers, a Creek American Indian from Oklahoma and a First Lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division, earned the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in 1943. Facing intense machine gun fire, Childers and eight men charged the enemy. Despite suffering a broken foot during the assault, Childers ordered covering fire and advanced up the hill, single-handedly killing two snipers, silencing two machine gun nests, and capturing an enemy mortar observer. His courage and leadership inspired his men and contributed significantly to the success of the operation.
Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. (Winnebago)
Mitchell Red Cloud Jr., a Winnebago from Wisconsin, served as a Corporal in Company E., 19th Infantry Regiment in Korea. On November 5, 1950, Red Cloud was guarding his company command post on a ridge when he was surprised by Chinese communist forces. He immediately sounded the alarm and remained in his position, firing his automatic rifle at point-blank range to halt the assault. This gave his company time to consolidate their defenses. Despite being severely wounded by enemy fire, he refused assistance and continued firing until he was fatally wounded. His heroic action prevented the enemy from overrunning his company’s position and allowed for the evacuation of the wounded. His selflessness and dedication to duty earned him the Medal of Honor posthumously.
Charles George (Cherokee)
Charles George, a Cherokee from North Carolina, served as a Private First Class in Korea. On November 30, 1952, during a battle, George made the ultimate sacrifice. When a grenade landed near his comrades, George threw himself upon it, smothering the explosion with his body. His selfless act saved the lives of his fellow soldiers, but cost him his own. For this extraordinary bravery, George was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1954.
Ernest Edwin Evans (Cherokee-Creek)
Ernest Edwin Evans, a Cherokee/Creek from Oklahoma, commanded the USS Johnston during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in October 1944. As part of the screen for escort aircraft carriers of the Seventh Fleet, Evans encountered the Center Force of the Japanese Fleet off Samar. The USS Johnston waged a gallant fight against overwhelming odds but was eventually sunk by enemy ships. Evans’s leadership and courage in the face of such adversity were recognized with the Medal of Honor, awarded posthumously by the United States Congress. His other decorations included the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon. The USS Evans (DE-1023), a U.S. Navy destroyer warship, was named in his honor.
Jack C. Montgomery (Cherokee)
Jack C. Montgomery, a Cherokee from Oklahoma, served as a First Lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division Thunderbirds. On February 22, 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, Montgomery’s rifle platoon was under fire from three echelons of enemy forces. He single-handedly attacked all three positions, taking prisoners in the process. Montgomery’s courage and initiative demoralized the enemy and inspired his men to victory. His leadership and bravery earned him the Medal of Honor.
Pappy Boyington (Sioux)
Pappy Boyington, a Sioux, was a highly decorated American combat pilot who served as a United States Marine Corps fighter ace during World War II. He received both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. Boyington served as a fighter pilot in both the US Navy and the Marines, achieving the rank of Colonel in the Marines. He initially flew P-40 Warhawk combat missions with the legendary "Flying Tigers" (1st American Volunteer Group) in the Republic of China Air Force in Burma during the early years of World War II. Boyington was shot down during a combat mission and declared missing in action. He was captured by a Japanese submarine and spent approximately 20 months in Japanese prison camps.
The Nine Native Americans Have Been Awarded the Medal of Honor represent a diverse range of tribal affiliations and military experiences. Their common thread is their extraordinary courage and unwavering dedication to duty. Their stories serve as powerful reminders of the sacrifices made by Native Americans in defense of the United States. Their legacies continue to inspire generations of soldiers and civilians alike. These nine individuals exemplify the highest ideals of the Medal of Honor, representing courage, selflessness, and devotion to duty. The article " Nine Native Americans Have Been Awarded the Medal of Honor" highlights the bravery of these men.